High capacity mine car



Dec. 3, 1946.

R. A. sHlELDs HIGH CAPACITY MINE CAR f 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March V22, 1939 INVENTOR ha? ,512 zeZds 4 u* M ATTORNEY Dec. 3, '1946. R. A. sHxELDs HIGH CAPACITY MINE CAR `Filed. March 22; 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 VI. l l

O 0 A O Filed March 22, 1939 5 Sheetsf-Shee'c 3 De.3,1946. RASHILDS l 2,411,939

HIGH cAAcITY MINE- CAR Filed March 22, 1939 5 sheets-sheet 4 ATTORNEY/ Deals, 1946.l R A, SHIELDS 2,411,939

HIGH CAPACITY MINE CAR I INVENTOR ATTORNEY 'l A-I'still further Vobject of the provision of a mine c-ar of simple construction in which*` full value is obtained.A from the component v metal parts, thus giving fa car ofl maximum strength and capacity with a minimum of Weight.

Patented Dec. 3, 1946 UNITED. STATES "IPATENT OFFICE A 2,411,939;v Y

,me Mmmm@ Robert A. Shields,r Berwick,` Paw.` assignor to American Car .andfil Foundry 1-Company, New York, N. YY.,l ay corporation fof: New ersey Y YAl'mlicauon'ivralrcli 22, 1939, serial No. 263,336

This invention relates to" ralwaycars in general and in particular to mine or industrial cars of the high capacity type. f

The majority of mine cars have in the past been constructed with a heavy traction frame which of -l itselfv was sufliciently strong to `carry the entire c lading 10aa for .which the 'car was designed. This heavyframe had attached thereto th'ebox like structure intended to retain'the ladingand transn mit the -load'to the frame. It was, of course, necessary to bracethe box like structure and make it sufficiently strong to carry the lading and load Vto theframe, Whichresulted inv a car far stronger than necessary and with the metal placed so'that its fullvalue was not developed. Certain of these cars were many times too strong in certain places, lWhile being barelystrong enough inothers to carry the load and inY practically all cases were extremely rough on the interior, presenting. a large .numb-er of rivet heads, sill anges`, braces and lother obstructions to the ready discharge of the v lading. It is of primeimportance that a mine car have'the interior as smooth as rpossible for ythe nely-divi-ded coal sifts to the bottom or is Washed there by the Water loaded with thev coal'and packs in the bottom against any obstruction to such an extent that it becomes rock like and almost impossible toremove..l It is an object, thereforaof the present invention to providea mine car having a smooth interior for the ready discharge of lading and to eliminate projections against which finely divided coal or other material may pack.r

A further object vof vthe inventionis the 'pro-` vision of a minecarconstructed mainly of plate ing themetal to serve both` a load carrying and load retaining function.

These and other lobjects of the inventionwill be apparent to persons skilled in thev art from a study f of the following -description Y vand accompanying invention is the n 1s claims.. (cries-sen Figurel is an elevational View of substantially one-half the car; l v

Fig- 2' is a sectional View of the otherhalf of the car and when taken with Figure 1 showsthe corn- Y plete car; f

Figr 3`is a plan View of substantially the half car Fig. l is an end View of the car with one-half .'gbeing shown in s'ection," substantially at the' axle plane;`- f

Fig. 7 is an inverted plan viewof the modified.

' car shown inv Fig. 6;

.Fig 8 is an'enlarged sectional View taken sub--v stanti'ally online 8 8 yof Fi'g.i6;

, Fig. 9is an enlarged sectional View taken substantially on line 9-9 of Fig. 6,

` i; Fig.' 1'0-V is an enlarged sectional View showing' a modied' form of longitudinalstilener construc- V' :ures to'9` inclusive.

tion which may be used either with the constructionshown'in Figuresv 1 to.5 inclusive or in Fig- JReferring now to the. drawingsl in ldetail A and in particular to Figures l to 5 inclusive, it will be 'seen that the car has' been-constructed with the' "loor as low asy possible .andwith the `carloody supported on stub axles, although it'will Ibeolcvious': thatv the` car may be `supported onl through .axles or that the sideportions may be carried at a.- different level than the center or main side edgslanged upwardly as at 4, then' laterally "Tfloor section.V As shown the car is constructed Withjfajcentral or main floor section 2,' having. its

outward as-"atiy 6, *thus forming a panj shaped central'y section with'V the ends open. Thenside win'gsl Torf.sideblladingl portionsk Vof tnefxcar are frm'edbyplate .metal sections 8,v lliavingv their yila'nge `It to overlap the flange (i` of the central f fsection. while" retainingzthe Wing portions' and "centrali floor section 2 A`in af substantially c omm'orl .-plan.,Y The jove'rlapping'iflanges i4 and v6 are VFsuitably secured togetherffeither by rivetingfor welding; although' thelatter is'4 preferable since itipre's'ents a srnootl'ler surface to1 thepjlading. ".It

Will thus' be seen thataY substantially b'oxlsection longitudinal' stilener' is :formed bythe vertical through axles or on stub axles I8 as shown.""

The ends of the stub axles support inner boxes inserted within the box section stiffener and acting not only as a carl support, but also asa tie between the anges 4. and.l.2',.sincerthe box is rigidly attached within the box section by rivets or bolts 2|, thus materially strengthening the stiffener or sill member at the area'of great' est load concentration. This journal'boxplacement of necessity causes upright portions of the stifiener or sill member to be intersected by the stub axles and preferably these upright portions are located close to the wheel hoods, as clearly shown. The outer ends of the stub axles support outer journal boxes 22 riveted or otherwise attached to a load distributing structure 24'. A portion of the load distributing structure is preferably of Z section having the lower flange 25 attached to the side section 8 and with the web extending vertically, while the top flange 26 is directed inwardly for support upon the outer journal box and to provide a ledge upon which the wheel hood 28 may rest and be secured by any suitable means. The Z member is bent to provide an end and outer side adjacent each wheel, while the other side is closed by a gusset plate 3D flanged at its lower edge as at 3| for attachment to the side floor section and secured to the Z member `by vertically extending angle 32. The inner portion of the gusset is reduced in height and extends horizontally into contact and attachment with the ange I2 of the box section stiflener and has attached thereto at the 1 upper edge an angle 33 with the one leg located It'will section stiiener and enclosing the wheel and distributing the load from the side floor section to the outer journal box.

Y. The outer edges ofeach gusset 30 are attached to angle stakes or stiffeners 34 secured to the side wall. 36 which is attached at its lower edge to the flange I of the side floor section, while the top is deflected inwardly and upwardly for attachment .to a Z` section top chord 38. The ends' of the side sheets are rigidly attached to the car end walls 40 in any suitablemanner and the top edges ofthe end sheets are preferably reinforced Vby angle structures 42 .which in effect continue the sidetopchords 38 `across the ends ofthe car. .The end walls are, of course, rigidly connected .not only to the sideY walls, but also t'o the side oor sectionsy longitudinal stiffeners or sill members and to the center .floor sec-tion Iby the bumper and draft housings of any suitable construction. As clearly shown in Figures 1,;2,

. 3 andzi the end bumper and draft housings. are

formed of a substantially at bottom plate 44 n hanged 'upwardly at its side edges as at 45 ,(Fig.

4) foriattachment by means of an angle ,46 to the top plate `48,;whichv topplate has its inner 4 plate 44 and the center iioor section. As clearly shown in Fig. 3 the bottom plate 44 and the main portions of the top plate are extended beyond the center section in order that the flanges 45 may be riveted directly to the anges I2 of the outer floor sections, while the vertical flange 49 of the top plate may abut the ends of the iianges 4 and 6 of the 4center floor section. It

will thus be seen that in this manner a strong connection is made between the .bumper and drawhead housing and the longitudinal stiliener or sill member with the housing backed up by the entire center oor section to receive buing forces which are the maximum transit shocks to 15` which a car is subjected. The housing may receive any type of bumper and drawhead construction desired, but in the present instance a doublel yacting spring bumper and drawhead 52 has been shown as inserted within the housing and held in place by vertical bolts 53.

The central iioor section is stiii'ened intermediate the bumper and drawhead housings by l means of angles 54 vplaced with the edges of the legs in contact with the iioor sectionA 2 for attachment thereto `by welding 4or other means. The ends of these angles are also. welded or otherwise attached to the vertical flange 4 of the center floor section and will, due to the inner journal box, form a ready tie between the entire box section stifleners at either side of the car, thus in elect continuing the stub axles across the center floor section','while at the same time preventing any sagging thereof. It will be seen that the longitudinal stiffeners or sill members together with their reinforcements carry a portion of the load to the stub axles, while a portion of the load will be carried by the end walls and side walls through the gussets of the load distributing structure to the wheels. In this manner substantially every component part of the car structureserves to retain the lading in position and to carry the load of the ladingto the wheels and axles. It will also be seen that a large capacity car has been provided with substantially the entire floor area at a -low `plane below the level of the axles and with a minimum 4of projections -into the lading zone. Each of the necessary projections into the lading Zone present a smooth surface to the lading eliminating pockets or other obstructions to the discharge of lading as the car is dumped. f

Referring now to the modiiied car shown in Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive it will be seen that the center floor section 6I) is formed at the central part thereof with a car haulage channel B2 adapted to receive Atherein ka car haulage lug The side edgesof the center floor section are iianged upwardly as at 64, then outwardly as at G5. The vertical flanges 64 are .pierced in order to receive'the throughaxle B6' which supports the box 63A andv inv turn'. is.. supported by the car wheels W. V)In this car'the side floor sections. are provided with l.two levels;l one at each end substantially in alignment with the center floor section and one at .the central vzone -at a level substantially parallel 'to the anges G5 of the center oor section. The end side floor sections 'I0 have their inner edgesflanged upwardly vas at 1i, thence inwardly as at 12 to underlie the'flanges 55 of the center'oor section. Suitable cross ties I3 join the lend side sections and center iloor sections, `thus tying the box section longitudinalstiiieners or sill members together by attachment of iianges 65 and 12; The intermediate or higher level side floor section 15 has the inner edge anged 7downwardlyfasat 16 -to overlap and? besecured lto the 'fflange V64 of thevcenter-se'ction, thus forming a strong stiffener UAbetween .the box-section Aends and a convenient arrangement for attachment oi the boxes 68 prevliously referred" to. As shown in the present vconstruction the'angefl ofthe center section has been burned awayiin the area occupied by *tl'ei floor section 15,'b-ut it is,ofY course, obvious -mat'tms Side' section maybe 1owered slightly and placed beneath the vflange 65'if it is so desired. Theendfedges of the central side iioor section are supported by angles' 16 attached to gussets 8U which' in turn arefrigidly connected to the .car side wall and to the flanges 64 and II- of the center and end side sections respectively. The lower edges of these gussets are flanged. as at 82 to'underlie and support the'inner edges of the end side floor portions asclearly shown in Figs. 7 f a'nd'. Itwill thus be seen that the .gussets tie the side walls to the longitudinal stile'ners or sill members and support the edges of both the intermediate and end side door portions, while at the same time serving asa tie between the flanges Yfll and 64 of the box section longitudinal stilener.

annees dead.' In-this car as in the car previously described, it will'be seen that eachcomponent part f serves not only to Vretain the load in position but to transfer the weight of such load to the aides 5 ffor support by the Wheels. y I

It Will, of course,v be obvious that if desired the side oor section may be located at a single level 'above'the center oor section, in which case the angular? `form of stiffener present'l between the 'aides will bev extended completely to the fend of the car. It may be desirable under some circumstances toprovide additional strength between theaxles, in which case the intermediate side lstiifenerthroughout the length of the car. I 'langes 65- and H2 'may be securely attached by any suitable means, such as welding, but prior to such attachment the boxes H4 will be attached securely to the flanges 64 and 65 of the center floor section. In this form the gussets 8,0 pre- Viously referred to will, of course, occupy vtheir same position, while the flanges Il will. abut It: will also be seen thatany loads picked upby :the `short box sectionu'stiieners will be transmitted atleast in part through the gussetl to @the stiffener flanges 64 and-16 which will in turn y carry the loads to the wheels-and axles. TheV intermediate side floorsections have a part thereby an angular topy ehordformed by an upwardlyv inclined portion 89 joined by a roll .Sillv toa vertical yiiange Si, which in turn is. integral with a horiz ontal .flange 92 andgvertical :flange 93.` The lange93 overlapsandis spaced from the edge of the inclined portion 89 andis adapted to Are- Yceive therebetween the upper edge oicthe side sheets to which they are attached by any suitable means such as welding.. y

Any desirable form'of bumper and drawhead housing maybe used.y but in the present instance this housing vis formed by 4a lower: Z 'shaped .plate "95 and ani upper distorted Zf'section plate-196 joined together directly at their `rear edgesvand intermediate their edges by an. angle plate 91.

This structure is attached to the horizontalfpor- 'tion o-f the centerk oor section-as well as to the flanges 64 thereof and carries any's'uitabletype4 The center oor'section is stiffened by means of tie plates 99 iwelded toy the sectiony 60 and f flange 6'4lof kthe centerrfloor-sectionand having its ends `extendedvas atwlIJLi-forattachment'tl 'the' side floor sections andr gusset 80. It willfthus f lbeseen that a portionof the oor loads will be directly carried to the journal boxes,- while other portionsv willbe carried by the side walls through -guSSets `il!! to the longitudinal stifeners` andaeross;

'ties .Whichwill in,v turn distribute the load to'the vca'raxle's. The gussets andl cross tiesl also serve to prevent bulgingofk the car'side wallsor sagging of .the ycenter floor section andalso prevent any Yfdistortic'mo'ofthev longitudinal stieners under'i `throughout the length-.oi the car.

#such gussets and be attacheclthereto, thus in elect making the anges 1| and IIO continuous It will, of

course, be obvious that if it is desired that the entire side floor section be'carried atthey same level the 'construction shown `in Fig. 10 is extremely suitable and will give a completer box lsection longitudinal stiffener throughout the length of the car. It will also be obvious .that

. such an arrangementis equally applicable to the constructions shown in Figs. l to 5 since it is only necessary to turn the side oor sheet yend for f end to obtain the construction shown in Fig. 10, although in turning the side oor sections it may be desirable to either eliminate theange :|01v or turn such ange in the opposite direction [to receive the side wall sheets.

' It will be obvious from the preceding descripf-tions of the various constructions that in every instancea smooth interior vis provided for the car' and' that substantially all parts are made of `plate metal securely attachedtogether and so I formed that thefull value of the metal is de- "velop'edQ Inother' words, each part of the car servesv not only to retain the lading in position,

e but alsoto' transfer the load ofsuch lading to the wheels.` It will be equally obvious that various modifications in form andarrangement of parts other' than those described willsuggest themselves to persons skilled in the art, but all such fmodications and rearrangements of parts are .contemplated as wi-llv come Within the scope. of the following claims which dene my invention.

' What is claimed is: f1. 'In a mine or otherlindustrial car having side .Walls and, end walls the combination of. a

fromfend wallto end wall oi` the car and having their adjacent side edges secured together in 1 'spaced relationship by means joined to the upper f l'edges of the adjacent side edges and closing' the hspace therebetween to thereby form the entire iloor of the car as well as upwardlyprojecting substantially box-section longitudinal .stiffeners 'extending substantially continuously from` end *wall to end Wall ci the-car and -forming the main longitudinally extending load carrying velement located between the side walls.

caallif 2. :In a mineor other,industrialcarfsilpported snacerzwheels, and axles the combination4 of4 a ipanshaped central floor portion,- substantially "pan shaped side plate floor portions adjacent each side edge of said central floor portion, said Y."panshaped floor portions being-secured together along their adjacent edgesk by meansvholding the sidesy of l the `pan shaped portions in Vspaced relationship, said means closing theV space between the ,sides and being joined tothe upper edgesof thesides to vthereby simultaneously form the floor -zofthe car as well as'subst-antially continuous 1 boxcsection.longitudinal stiieners, andjournal boxes secured within said box-section stiffeners Vandadapted toV receive the axles for supporting the car, said journal boxes cooperatingwithsaid means in connecting and holding vthe sides ofthe x'panshaped floor portions in spaced relation thereby mutually bracing each other.

y 3. In a mine or other industrial car the combination of a central floor portion, side lfloor v portions adjacent each side edge .of the central floor portion, upwardly extending flanges formed on the adjacent edges of said floor portions, and

' reanges formedonthe free edges of said flanges, said reflanges being directly secured4 together to hold said flanges inspaced relationship andV to simultaneously forni 'the -car oor and substanx tially box-section longitudinal stiffeners therefor, said reanges overlapping each other to pro-s q duce a double thickness of material acting `in tension on the upper edge of said box section stiffeners to thereby reinforce the same.

4. In' a mine or other industrial carY supported on spaced wheels and axles and havingspaced end walls the combination of a central floor por- VAleast portions of said stiifeners of box-section.

5. In a mine or other industrial car lthe combination of a central floor portion having upwardlydirected flanges on the side edges thereof, side floor portions adjacent each side edge of theV central floor portion, upwardly directed flanges on the side edges thereof, means joining the adjacent upwardly directed flanges together to simultaneously form the car floor and integral longitudinal stiffeners therefor,

- said means retaining at least portions of said flanges in spaced relationship thereby forming at least portions of said stiifeners substantially of box-section, journal boxes securedV within the box section portion of said stiffeners and additionally securing-said anges together, and axles supporting said journal boxes and located at least in part above said floor.

6. In a mine or other industrial car having side walls the combination of a central floor portion having upwardly directed flanges on the side edges thereof, side floor portions adjacent each side edge of the central licor portions/said side floor portions having the ends thereof located substantially in the plane of the centraliioor portions and formed with upwardly directed flanges, the intermediate portion of said side floors being 8 ,i located 'finta-plane .spaced .upwardlvfi from, .the plane ofthe central noorportion and formed With zdownwardlyfdirected flanges, andmeans joining -allfof the adjacent flanges together towsimul- ,taneously Vform the car; oor A`and longitudinal rrstiifeners-therefor. 117.5111 a mine or. othery industrial car` having Vside wallsgthe combination of a central floor portionhaving gupwardlyrdirected flanges on the side edgesV thereof, side'oor portions adjacent .each ...sideedgeof the central floor portions, saidside floorj; portions having the VVends thereof located substantially inthe plane of the central iloor portions and formed withd upwardly directed flanges, the intermediate portion of said side floors being located in a plane spaced upwardly from the Vplane of the central floor portion and formed withgdownwardly directedflanges, means y joiningv all of the vadjacent anges together to simultaneously formthe car Vfloor and longitudi- `nalstiffeners therefor, and gussets joined to said side walls and joining the end and intermediate portions of` said side floory portions. w8;` In a mine-orr other industrial car having side -Ywalls theA combination vofv acentral floor portion .fhagvingyupwardly directed flanges on the side edges thereof, side oorportions adjacent each iside edgeof thegcen'tral oorportions, said side ,fpiloor'portions having .the ends thereof` located :substantially in the-plane voi the `central floor f portions and formed: with upwardly directed ;.flanges,1the intermediate portion of-,said side `floors being located in a plane spaced upwardly from the planev of the central floor portion and formed with downwardlydirected flanges, means joining all `of the gadjacent flanges together to simultaneously form the car floor and longitudinal'stiffeners therefor, and gussetsr joined lto said sidewalls and joining the'end and intermediate portions of said side floor portions, said gussets being also joined to the flanges of said end and intermediate side floor portions and to the anges of said central oor portion.

9.. In a mine or other industrialcar having side walls the .combination of a central floor portion having upwardlydirected flangesV on the side edges thereof, sideY floor portions adjacent each .Y side edge `of the centralfloor portions, said side door portions. vhaving the ends thereof located substantially in the `plane of the central floor portions and formed with upwardly directed flanges, the intermediate portion of said side floors being located ina plane spaced upwardly from vthe plane of the central iioor portion and formed with downwardly directed flanges, means joining all .of the adjacent flanges together to simultaneously form the car floor and longitudinal'stiifeners therefor, said means joining the intermediate side floor portion flanges and central floor flanges in abutting relation and joining the end side iioor portion flanges and central oor anges in spaced relation thereby forming f the ends of the stiffeners of box section, and vgussets joining the end and intermediate side floor portions to the side walls, said gussets also -closing the inner -ends of the box-section portions ofthe stiffeners and connecting the same to the 'intermediate side floor flanges.,

10. In a mine or other 'industrial car having side walls the combination of a central door `portion side oor portions adjacent'each side edge Aof the central oor portion, flanges formed on the adjacent edges of said floor portions, means securingV said floor. portions together with the :flanges held in spaced ,relationship lto simultaneously form the car floor and integral 'substantiallyl box-section stifieners therefor, journal boxes secured within the box-section stiffeners and mutually bracing each other, load distributing structures secured to said stiieners, to said side floor portions and to said side walls, additional journal boxes secured to load distributing structures, stub axles supporting said'journal boxes, wheels on said stub axles, and wheel hoods connected tothe box-section stiffeners and load distributing structures.

11. In a mine or other industrial car having side walls the combination of a central floor portion, side oor portions adjacent each side edge of the central floor portion, flanges formed on the adjacent edges of said floor portions, means `securing said floor portions together with the iianges held in spaced relationship to simultaneously form the car floor and substantially boxsection stiieners therefor, journal boxes secured within the box-section stiieners and mutually bracing each other, load distributing structures secured to said stiffeners, to said side floor portions and to said side walls, additional journal boxes secured to load distributing structures, stub axles supporting said journal boxes, wheels on said stub axles, wheel hoods connected to V'the box-section stiffeners and load distributing structures, and cross ties of inverted angle form connected to the central floor portion and boxsection stiffeners and positioned substantially in alignment with the stub axles.

12. In a mine or other industrial car having side walls the combination of a central o'or portion, side floor portions adjacent each side edge of the central floor portion, anges formed on the adjacent edges of saidfloor portions, means securing said oor portions together with the flanges held in spaced relationship to simultaneously form the car floor and integral substantially box-section stifleners therefor, said box-section stiffeners forming the main longitudinally extending load carrying elements between the side walls, load distributing structures located wholly above the oor level and secured to said stiffeners and to said side floor portions, outer journal boxes secured to said load distributing structures, inner journal boxes secured to said box section stifeners, stub axles located wholly above the floor level formed by said central and side floor` portions and supporting said journal boxes, wheels carrying said axles-and projecting through said side floor portions, and wheel hoods connected to the box-section stiieners and load distributing structures.

13. In' a mine or other industrial car having side walls the combination of a central floor portion, side floor portions adjacent each side edge .of the central floor portion, anges formed on the adjacent edges of said iioor portions, means securing said iioor portions together with the anges held in spaced relationship to simultaneously form the car ioor and substantially boxsection stiieners therefor, said box-section stiffeners forming the main longitudinally extending load carrying elements between the vside walls, load distributing structuressecured to said stiffeners and to said side floor portions, outer jour- 10 nal boxes secured uto said load distributing structures, inner journal boxes secured to said boxsection stiffeners, stub axles supporting said journal boxes, wheels carrying said axles and projecting through said side floor portions, wheel hoods connected to the box-section stifeners and load distributing structures, gussets comprising a -part of said load distributing structures and connecting the side walls and box-section stiffeners, and cross ties joined to certain of said .iianges and central iioor portions to prevent distortion of the floor and to form in effect a vcontinuation of the stub axles transversely of the car.

14. In a mine or other industrial car having side walls the combination of a central iioor p0rtion, side oor portions adjacent each side edge of the central floor portion, flanges formed on the adjacent edgesv of said floor portions, means securing said floor portions together with the flanges held in spaced relationship to simultaneously form the car floor and substantially boxsection stiifeners therefor, portions oi the flanges of said central floor portion being cut away whereby the box-section terminates inwardly of the car end, and end structures secured to the central oor portion and to the iianges of said side ioor portions, said end structures overlappingly .abutting and being secured to the ends of said flanges of the central floor portion thereby closing the ends of the box-section stiieners and bracing the end structures.

15. In a mine car, wheels and individual wheel supporting stub axles at each side of the car, wheel hooding structures overlying the wheels,

.-means supported on each stub axle, a sill member extending longitudinally of the car along each side of the car, each said sill member including .an upright wall portion disposed at least in part beneath the horizontal plane occupied by the wheel axes and so close to the adjacent wheels as to lie in a vertical plane which intersects the stub axles at that side of the car, and a central lading bottom substantially Vclosing the space between the sill members, said means supported on each stub axle being carried in part by a sill member and in part by other parts of the car structure.

16. In a mine oar, car wheels and individual wheel supporting stub car axles at each side of the car, wheel hooding structures closely over- 'lying the car wheels and with inside longitudinal fof the axes of the car wheels and substantially closing the space between the sill members.

ROBERT A. sinnlos. 

